Hey there! So if you’re reading this, chances are either at the beginning of your driving journey or have just graduated from a course and wondering what to do next. This process includes obtaining your driving school certificate from Service Ontario and this article explains how to get it in detail. Alright then get a coffee take a seat because it is time to learn how do you apply for your driving school certificate from Service Ontario. Don’t worry,It is easy just more than you think!!!

Why do you need a driving school certificate?

Before anything else—why is this certificate significant? Driving school certificate (eg, Beginner Driver Education — BDE): This is evidence that you have completed an approved course of instruction from a driving school. But this certification is not only limited to a piece of paper, it can: 1. Driver education usually means a reduction in your insurance: Many carriers will offer discounts to new drivers who have completed an approved driving course. 2. Get your license faster: finishing a BDE course allows you to book for your G2 road test in as short of time 4 months sooner! Given the immense value of this certificate, I need talking about ‘how to get it done’.

Step 1: You must complete a Ministry-Approved Driving Course In order to even be eligible for an insurance discount, you have to take some form of a driving course in Ontario that is approved by the MTO. If you plan to complete a course from an approved driving school only, make sure that the MTO has given them the authority. What to expect from an MTO-approved driving course In-Class Instruction: You will likely need around 20 hours of in-class learning. It includes driving basics, road safety and traffic laws. Driving career will need in addition some 10 hours of on-the-road from a certified instructor. This is where you will hone in on what everything that you have learned and take it to the streets. Homework may be required: Home coursework is, unfortunately, a reality with all programs. Once you have finished the whole course your driving school will report to MTO (Ministry of Transportation, Ontario) that is called completion information.

Step 2: Verify your certification is on file Once you complete the course, your driving school should submit proof of having passed that course electronically to MTO. But it is always nice to make sure everything went well. Follow these steps to confirm that your certification is on file: 1. Access the ServiceOntario website: Go to the official ServiceOntario site and look for driver education on it. 2. Verify the status of your driver’s license: Enter information about you such as your name and address (including a reference to your driver’s license number) into an online form, confirming that they have filed their BDE certificate. If your certification isn’t working, reach out to your driving school right away. Sometimes it might be delayed on the processing end, but if that could have been avoided do so.

Step 3: Now, it is necessary to obtain a copy of your Driver’s License History from ServiceOntario after the BDE certificate has been processed. This document is confirmation of your driving education and will need to be presented to your insurance company or when scheduling with the G2 office. To Obtain it -Visit a serviceOntario center- you can visit any Service Ontario location in-person to request for your Driver’s License history. Remember to take your driver license and whichever ID they might require. Order online: As an alternative, you can also request this document from the ServiceOntario website. Very convenient, and you can do it from home. Get the Driver’s License History: It charges a small fee of about $12 to obtain your DLH. This can be paid online if you order it through the website, or in person at a ServiceOntario Centre. All done once you now have your Driver’s License History!

We are now at the FINAL STEP…

Step 4: Use Your Certificate for Insurance or Licensing Benefits With your Driver’s License History in hand, you can use it as proof that you completed an approved course. Insurers — Show the document to your insurance carrier and find out if you can get a reduced premium.accounts This is a fantastic way to ensure your premiums are as low as possible when you first start driving. Get your G2 test quicker: If you are eager to receive a little more freedom in the form of that all-important Canadian driving license, then this certificate will allow you book your road-test up to four months earlier than otherwise. This is useful for getting on the road faster, and a good stepping stone towards becoming an unrestricted driver.

So What If Certification is Delayed?

However Life does not always work as per your plans. The only exception here should be a situation if your driving school certificate is not in the system, there might then just come some delay. Don’t panic. Check out this — Contact Your Driving School: First thing you need to do is contact your driving school. This is because you may need to resubmit the course completion information from where your training institution requested it. The MTO Processing Time: Once you have completed the course it will take about two weeks for your completion to be processed and shown on system. In the case of that length, there would be something wrong. Document Everything: Make sure you hold on to a copy of everything that is correspondence between yourself and the parent driving school or ServiceOntario this includes notes from all conversations as well document what happened during any visit. This can be particularly useful if there is ever a dispute, or you require confirmation to retail your course. If that does not work, go to a ServiceOntario Centre and speak with someone there. They can usually provide more detail and assistance in case it gets escalated

Frequently Asked Questions: Addressing Common Queries Before we finish, we will delve into some FAQ to help you clear out any queries that might arise during the process of getting your driving school certificate from Service Ontario.

Can I Obtain a BDE Certificate from Service Ontario iteself?

The BDE certificate on its own is issued by your driving school once you graduate from a Ministry of Transportation approved course. But, this will be your Driver’s License History and it is what you request from ServiceOntario to show that you have completed the BDE stage.

How soon will the certification appear in their system? Two weeks should usually be enough time for your certification to go through after finishing a driving course and showing up in the MTO system.

Or my certification is not found in the records?

If your certification does not get forwarded try to connect with your driving school immediately. Sometimes this can even mean they have to re-submit your details or fix any errors!

Do I still qualify for an insurance discount if I did not take a course that is approved by the MTO?

However, not all insurance companies will give you a break for completing the course because it needs to be MTO-approved in order to receive your discount! Certain courses may not apply (non-approved) — always check with your insurance provider.

Is the Driver’s License History Opposite BDE certificate?

Not exactly. // BDE certificate – shows you completed the course/// Driver’s License History — from ServiceOntario; this is your driving record, which includes that you have taken a BDE.

My Driving License History Was Lost?

Although troublesome, you have no reason to stress about losing your Driver’s License History. …. it is replaceable and…. If you lose it, the test declaration is available on request from ServiceOntario. Just go back through the process you followed when originally asking for it: drive to a ServiceOntario Center or order online. But in case you pay once more the nominal charges. I would recommend having a digital copy as well just to be on the safe side, especially if you are going to send it over your insurance company or others.

Your Driving School and Your Certification – what role does your driving school have to play when we talk about certification? They supply the education and training that you will need, as well as include your course completion to MTO. This is why choosing a reputable and reliable school is essential. Before signing on the dotted line, use Google to look up FADA and in your local area for driving schools. Ask for reviews and or look them up, see if they are MTO-approved etc. Go to the Source: Feel free to inquire with your school, in detail about their licensing procedures and how quickly they communicate completions of course work directly to the MTO or what back up will be received by them if an issue arises regarding you certification. Keep In Touch: Once you have done the course, make sure that the school follows up with your information for submission. If you do that, the time and aggravation it will save in the future are well worth this easy STEP.

Conclusion

There it is, the comprehensive guide on how to get your driving school certificate from Service Ontario. That seems like a long process but if you break it down, its really very simple. Remember to take a Ministry-approved course, make sure your certificate is on record and print off Driver’s License History. That takes care of the first step to becoming a certified driver in Ontario. If you have any other questions or need further support, let me know. Safe driving!

Contact Us: Ready to get driving certificate? Contact Raven Driving School today and take the first step towards mastering the road.